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Photos and videos can’t fully prepare you for just how beautiful Venice really is. With its enchanting canals and graceful gondolas, grand architecture and colourful houses, bustling squares and tiny back streets, Italy’s floating city is a truly unique destination.
In this itinerary, we’ll show you how we spent three (and a half!) fun-packed days in Venice, to help you with ideas for your own trip. I’ll say it up front: you can’t see everything the city has to offer in just three or four days, but you can make a bloomin’ good start.
Our guide covers top attractions, while also giving you plenty of time to relax in a square or by the water, savour the local food and drink, or simply wander the maze-like streets, which, in my humble opinion, is the best thing to do in Venice.
Venice 3-4 Day Itinerary Overview
Venice Video Guide
You can also watch our Venice video itinerary over on YouTube.
Travel Day / Day 1 | Travel to Venice. Kick off your trip away from the main tourist spots in the Cannaregio district, then introduce yourself to food and drink, Venice-style!
Day 2 | Visit some of the most famous attractions in Venice.
Day 3 | Island hopping.
Day 4 | Take a gondola ride, enjoy one of several amazing viewpoints and discover Dorsoduro, Venice’s university district.
Map of Venice Attractions
Save our map of places to go, eat and drink in Venice
Best things to do in Venice: A 3-4 Day itinerary
Travel Day / Day 1 in Venice
Itinerary Note // While we arrived in Venice in the mid-afternoon, this of course won’t be the case for everyone. I would still recommend using our ‘day one’ as a half-day somewhere in your itinerary, though, because exploring the Cannaregio district was one of the absolute highlights of our trip to Venice!
Cannaregio District
There are six districts on the historic central island of Venice. Cannaregio, the northernmost district, was one of our favourite areas in the city to just wander without a plan.
Compared to busy areas like San Marco, Cannaregio didn’t feel crowded at all. In fact, some spots were surprisingly quiet!
While exploring the old streets, with their shuttered windows and washing lines, is enjoyable in its own right, I have a couple of things you could look out for as you walk.
- Jewish Ghetto // The Jewish Ghetto in Venice, founded in 1516, is thought to be the oldest of its kind in Europe. At the time, rulers of the city confined Jews to a small island in the Cannaregio district. During the day, they were allowed to trade and do business, but at night they were forced to remain within the ghetto gates. The Jews weren’t granted their freedom until the 18th century.
If you want to learn more about the history and culture of Venetian Jews, you can visit the small Jewish Museum.
Jewish Museum of Venice: Check Opening Hours Here
Tour of the Real Hidden Venice (Rated 5-star from over 1,000 visitors): Tour Details Here
- Campo Di Mori // Among the many squares you’ll come across, one to look out for is Campo Di Mori. It may not immediately grab your attention, but it has a pretty peculiar story.
Around the square, you’ll notice statues of three wealthy merchant brothers. Legend has it that they attempted to deceive an elderly Venetian woman, who uncovered their scheme and cursed them, turning them into stone. These statues still stand here today as a cautionary tale. One of the brothers has lost his nose, which has been replaced with a piece of iron. Supposedly, rubbing the iron nose brings good luck. However, it’s situated quite high up, so if you’re vertically challenged like me, well… tough luck!
- Calle Varisco // Squeeze down Calle Varisco. Hold your breath, because at only 53cm wide, this is the narrowest street in Venice!
Try a Spritz
A spritz is a popular drink you’ll find everywhere in Venice. It’s made of prosecco, soda water and bitter, and then usually garnished with either a slice of orange or an olive. Order the type of spritz based on which bitter you would like. The ones most commonly offered are Aperol, Campari and Select, with Select being the local aperitif.
Ranking from most to least bitter:
- Campari
- Select (my favourite!)
- Aperol
Sample Cicchetti
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, it’s time to snack on the local cicchetti.
Cicchetti are tasty little bites of food. These often featuring crostinis, which are small pieces of toasted bread topped with all sorts of things. Among the favourites in Venice are sardines in onion and vinegar sauce, and creamed cod. If you don’t like seafood, then don’t worry, you’ll still find plenty of meat and vegetarian options.
You typically order your cicchetti at the bar, and then have the choice to enjoy your food either indoors or outdoors — sometimes sitting, sometimes standing. I will say, if you eat near a canal, then watch out for seagulls! If you’ve never had a greedy seagull flying smack into your face, then I can unfortunately say from experience that I don’t recommend it. 0/10; would not do again.
Cicchetti usually cost around two euros per item, although this could vary. We’d typically order two items per person to share, and more often than not, we found ourselves tempted back for a few extra bites.
Day 2 in Venice
Rialto Bridge
Of the whopping 400 bridges sprinkled throughout Venice, there is one that everyone aims to see: the Rialto Bridge. As one of the four bridges spanning Venice’s Grand Canal, the intricately designed Rialto Bridge holds the distinction of being the oldest. Expect it to be bustling with activity; when we arrived around 9 am, the bridge was already crowded. From the Rialto Bridge, you can stand and watcha all kinds of boats glide along the Grand Canal.
Rialto Market
Close to the Rialto Bridge is the buzzing Rialto Market. If you’re staying in self-catered accommodation in Venice, you could stop by the market to pick up fruit, veggies, herbs and spices or fresh fish. If you’re staying in a hotel but you simply enjoy the atmosphere of a lively market, then it’s still worth stopping by to soak it all in.
Libreria Acqua Alta
This unusual bookshop is known for stacking their mountains of new and used books in bathtubs, barrels, row boats and even a gondola to protect them from flooding.
As well as looking through the huge array of books, you can also climb a staircase made entirely of books, or sit in a gondola tied up at the back of the store.
You can check the most up-to-date opening hours on the bookstore website.
The Church of San Zaccaria
The Gothic-Renaissance church is dedicated to Saint Zaccaria, who was the father of St John the Baptist. While the beautiful church is free to enter, for 3 euros you can visit the crypt, which has been permanently flooded by canal water.
Walk along the slightly raised brick pathway and see the tombs, columns, and vaulted ceiling, all mirrored in the standing water. During our visit, we found ourselves completely alone in the crypt, surrounded by utter silence, broken only by the sound of dripping water. The atmosphere was almost eerie, adding to the overall experience.
Opening Hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 10am-12pm & 4pm-6pm. Double-check most up-to-date times.
Fresh Pasta To Go
While I could happily fuel a Venice trip entirely on cicchetti, for lunch I’m going to suggest you pick up a delicious box of fresh pasta to go. It’s quick, hearty and easy on the bank balance — what more could you want? There are a few places that serve up a hearty portion of pasta in a box, but we went to the conveniently located Dal Moros. Choose your pasta type, sauce and toppings, and away you go!
Doge’s Palace
From the 8th to the 18th century, the doge (essentially the duke) held the highest office in the Republic of Venice, with 120 doges serving during this 1000-year timeframe.
You have the option to book regular entry to Doge’s Palace or participate in a guided tour.
We chose the Secret Itineraries tour, where we learned about some of the palace’s history and saw interesting parts of the building we would otherwise miss, such as the attic, the torture chamber, and Casanova’s prison cell. Hearing the story of the legendary Casanova’s imprisonment and escape was probably the highlight of the tour for me.
The tour lasted an hour and 15 minutes and only runs a few times a day in Italian, English, or French, so I would recommend booking in advance. After the tour, you are then free to explore the rest of the Doge’s Palace at your own pace.
The power and wealth Venice had are evident as you walk through the grand rooms and gaze up at the impressive ceilings.
You’ll be able to cross the Bridge of Sighs, which was built to connect the Doge’s Palace with the prison. It supposedly got its name from the convicted criminals who would sigh as they crossed it, taking in their last view of Venice before being locked away in the dark cells of the prison. Even if you don’t visit Doge’s Palace, you can still view the bridge from the ground below.
I’d recommend leaving yourself at least another 2 hours for exploring the palace, so really, visiting Doge’s Palace along with the Secret Itineraries tour can take up almost half a day.
If you aren’t interested in the Secret Itineraries tour, you can book a skip-the-line ticket for Doge’s Palace that includes entrance to a few museums, or you can show up and brave the long queue.
Doge’s Palace Opening Times: Check up-to-date opening times
Secret Itineraries Tour: Book Here
Doge’s Palace Entry + Museums (No Tour): Book Here
Other Popular Doge’s Palace Tours & Tickets: Browse Options Here
Ready to plan your trip?
You can read our Venice Travel Guide covering topics like when to go, where to stay, using the vaporetto and more!
St Mark’s Basilica
You can’t take photos inside of St Mark’s Basilica, so you’ll just have to take my word for it when I say it is absolutely stunning. The domes, vaults and walls are covered in huge mosaics made with real gold. It really is worth seeing.
To visit St. Mark’s Basilica, we booked a skip-the-line ticket directly on the website. We opted for entrance to the basilica only; however, there are other options available if you wish to include extras such as the museum. You can just show up if you like, but the waits do get really long, so I would recommend booking in advance. Alternatively, there are guided tours available if you would like to learn more about the basilica (or if regular entry tickets have sold out).
You can also book skip-the-line tickets or join another long queue to ascend the campanile. A lift takes you 323 feet to the top of the bell tower where you will have amazing views of Venice and the lagoon.
St Mark’s Basilica Tickets (Official Website): Browse Ticket Options Here
Guided Tours of St Mark’s Basilica: Browse Tours Here
Heads up!
Venice is very safe. However, with crowds of tourists come pickpockets, so keep an eye on your things. St Mark’s Square in particular can be very busy.
Remember, we’ve added all these things to
see and do to our Venice map!
Day 3 in Venice
Island Hopping: Burano, Torcello and Murano.
The next day we took ourselves on a day trip to some of the nearby islands of Venice: Burano, Torcello and Murano.
We visited three (well, technically four!) islands in one day, although admittedly we spent most of our time on Burano and Torcello.
- Burano // Known for its rainbow streets and delicate lace. Get here early to enjoy the island without the crowds.
- Mazzorbo // A peaceful island with a pretty vineyard and a top-rated restaurant. We only popped over here briefly, which is why I’ve said “technically” four.
- Torcello // An oasis of ancient churches, Byzantine mosaics and rolling greenery.
- Murano // A pretty island famous for its glass.
You can either create your own DIY island-hopping trip using the vaporetto or as part of a guided tour. For more details on using the vaporetto, check out our Venice travel guide next.
We go into more detail on how to visit these islands in our written island hopping guide and our Venice itinerary video on YouTube.
Day 4 in Venice
Gondola Ride
On our last day, we began the morning with a Gondola ride.
We had “ummed” and “ahhed” over whether to do this on our trip to Venice. On one hand, gondolas represent an iconic symbol of Venice, and indulging in a leisurely ride on these traditional boats offers the opportunity to see Venice from another perspective.
On the other hand, it’s 80 euros for 30 minutes, and that’s if you go during the day. In the evening, the price goes up to 100 euros for 35 minutes. These prices are per boat rather than per person, which does make it better value if there’s a group of you, but there’s no denying it’s expensive.
In the end, we decided, ‘Hey, you only live once. We could be hit by a vaporetto tomorrow. Let’s do the gondola ride.’
Gondolas can be found at various locations throughout the city, with gondoliers offering different routes. We boarded our gondola from the San Polo side of the Grand Canal, not far from the Rialto Bridge. This allowed us to experience a good mix of the Grand Canal’s magnificence and the tranquillity of the smaller canals.
Personally, I found the journey floating down the smaller canals to be the most enchanting part of the gondola ride. So, I would always choose a gondolier whose route includes these smaller waterways. Our gondola ride was truly relaxing, and we appreciated the gondolier pointing out various sights along the way.
However, I don’t think you should feel obligated to take a gondola ride just because you’re in Venice. While it definitely is a unique and enjoyable activity, if 80 euros is more than you are comfortable spending, then I personally don’t think you’re missing out too much. And, you can still explore many of the quaint canals and backstreets on foot, so ignore the FOMO!
Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo
You could visit this 14th-century palace to see the amazing spiral staircase. If you book in advance, you have the opportunity to climb the staircase as it winds up to a terrace, offering a splendid lookout over Venice. However, even if you decide not to climb the tower, perhaps to save your money for another viewpoint, I would still suggest stopping by to see the staircase from the outside – it’s not really out of the way.
Book to climb the spiral staircase here.
Royal Gardens
Take a short break in the Royal Gardens. Despite being tucked right next to St. Mark’s Square, these gardens are surprisingly calm and quiet. Since they’re relatively small, I wouldn’t say they’re worth going out of your way for. However, if you need a respite from the crowds at St. Mark’s or fancy a sit-down in the shade, then these pretty gardens could be just what you need.
The Royal Gardens do not open every day, so check up-to-date opening hours here.
San Georgio Maggiore
If you have a vaporetto pass, then hop over the lagoon to the serene island of San Georgio Maggiore. Visit the stunning Renaissance-style Church of San Giorgio Maggiore for free.
For 8 euros, you can take a lift to the top of the campanile, where you’ll have beautiful views of St. Mark’s Square, the Grand Canal, and the surrounding lagoon islands. With fewer crowds and lower costs, this is a great alternative to St. Mark’s Campanile.
The basilica is open every day from 09:00 to 19:00. You can double-check opening times on the official website.
Bonus Viewpoint Tip
T Fondaco dei Tedeschi is a shopping centre close to the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal, that features a rooftop terrace with a stunning view of the canal. It’s free to visit, although you have to book a time slot, with tickets being released 21 days in advance. This is now a really popular spot, so book your ticket as soon as they are released. We tried around two weeks ahead, and they were totally booked up.
Dorsoduro District
Be sure to allocate some time in your itinerary to explore Dorsoduro, an eclectic neighbourhood just southwest of San Marco.
In Dorsoduro, you’ll discover a wealth of churches, museums, and art galleries, but with fewer crowds than San Marco. After a bit of sightseeing and exploring the canals, take a leisurely break at one of the neighbourhood’s charming bars or cafes, where you can soak in the atmosphere of its laid-back squares.
Here are a few suggestions for things to see and do in Dorsoduro:
- Accademia Bridge // A long wooden bridge spanning the Grand Canal, linking the San Marco district with Dorsoduro. Renowned for its breathtaking views of the canal and historic buildings, this bridge provides an iconic vantage point often captured in photographs of Venice.
- Peggy Guggenheim Collection // A famous museum showcasing an impressive collection of modern art. Check up-to-date opening hours here.
- Gallerie dell’Accademia // A prestigious art museum featuring an extensive collection of pre-19th century Venetian art. Check up-to-date opening hours here.
- Santa Maria della Salute // This free-to-enter basilica was built in 1630 to commemorate the end of a devastating plague outbreak, which killed around one-third of the population of Venice. Admire the geometric marble floor and gaze up at the tall domed ceiling. View opening hours here.
- Squero di San Trovaso // A traditional gondola workshop where you can watch gondola construction and repairs firsthand. We recommend grabbing cicchetti and a spritz directly opposite Osteria Al Squero, allowing you to enjoy your food with a view of the boatyard.
- Campo Santa Margherita // A bustling square with a vibrant atmosphere from morning until night. The food and drink we saw on offer here seemed better value for money than the more touristy spots. 3 euros for a glass of prosecco while sitting at a little outdoor table watching the world go by was the perfect end to our evening.
Eight chapels surround the geometric marble floor in the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute
Venetian houses along the Grand Canal
Watch the boats from Accademia Bridge
